The following areas of practical skills are required for effective mediation advocacy. This list prepared by the Mediation Advocacy Task Force of IMI is intended as guidance to MA-QAPs in designing knowledge assessments. The list is not necessarily exhaustive or mandatory and ACB assessors us it for guidance while assessing mediation advocates.

Knowing when mediation may not be a suitable process to address particular issues.

Knowledge of the distributive (adversarial) approach to negotiation, in addition to the problem-solving (interest-based) approach and knowing when and why to apply each. Knowing how to avoid and counter unhelpful adversarial attitudes, behavior and language.

Knowing how to use techniques for productively supporting the parties, their representatives, the mediator and the process, and using the mediator and the process effectively to generate a mutually accepted outcome.

Knowing how to effectively communicate with the mediator, prior to, during and after the mediation sessions.